Top Pick Stats: 370/1076 (-$397.40) Best Bets: 47/96 ($10.20); Spot Plays: 19/96 (-$53.60) Best Bet: GINGER TREE FINNY (Race 5) Spot Play: CENTURY LUCIFER (Race 10) Early Pick-5: 1,6/1,2/4,6,9/4,6,9/7   $7.20 Late Pick-5: 2,5/4,5,8/1,9/1,7/5,8   $9.60 Race 1: NW $1,250 LAST 4 STARTS (W/O $7,500 LAST 8 STARTS N/E). AE: N/A $890 P/S IN 2025 (MIN 10 STARTS). (6) EASILY THE BEST, despite his recent awful showings, is very likely to rebound off the claim for top connections. You are going to absolutely hate the price that you get, but this is a group that is really, really struggling. (1) MONTANA SLIM comes off a very sharp qualifier where he showed a ton of pop in the late stages. David Kelly has sent out some sneaky good horses in the last week or two. (7) BRONX DRIFTER was the horse J-Mac chose against after tripping out for the win as the odds on favorite last week. I would look for McClure to put him in play. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: NW $13,500 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $29,000 LAST 8 STARTS.  AE: OPT. CLM. $70,000. AE: NW 10 RACES LIFETIME. (1) PEMBERTON is another horse that you usually hate the price on, because of his inability to string together wins. However, it’s another situation where I trust J-Mac to get him in the right spot. (2) MR BLUEBIRD is logical off the drop in class and has shown the pop necessary to sprint with the top trotters on the grounds if he is positioned close enough. (6) R PEAKY BLINDERS tends to take back when racing at the upper levels, but he has some lethal early speed that hasn’t been used in a while. I can see him firing out and holding on for a piece. Race 3: POP UP SERIES CONSOLATION: STARTERS FOR A PURSE OF $10,000 OR LESS IN L3 STARTS AND NW $50,000 IN 2025. AE: NW $30,000 IN 2025 (MIN 10 STARTS). (6) TRICKY MCWICKY gets another chance from me in what is his second start on Lasix. He was pressured early from post eight last week. I can see him getting a smoother journey tonight. (9) ST LADS BEAT IT has posted two sharp efforts since the claim to the Gerard Demers barn, and this is a rare case where leading driver James Macdonald might actually offer some value. He will need a trip from the high draw, though. (4) CATFISH JACK is another Dave Kelly charge that showed sneaky late interest and could be knifing through late to pick off rivals. Race 4: NW $9,000 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $20,750 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $50,000. AE: N/A $2,200 IN 2025. (4) DEVILS ARCH comes into this race after a sharp win last week. Now, he completely tripped out, but he feels like the most reliable option tonight. (6) SPARTAN GENERAL gets away from the rail, which I think helps him. He will still be working from off the pace, as usual, but it gives Christoforou more options. (9) GHOSTLY CASPER tried to blast and last from the high draw last week, but weakened when it counted. Similar tactics could be in store tonight, but I’m not sure how successful they will be. Race 5: POP UP SERIES FINAL: STARTERS FOR A PURSE OF $10,000 OR LESS IN L3 STARTS AND NW $50,000 IN 2025. AE: NW $30,000 IN 2025 (MIN 10 STARTS). (7) GINGER TREE FINNY drew away from the competition impressively last week and looms as the clear horse to beat in tonight’s Pop-Up Final. Macdonald logically sticks. (5) STATE ONE SMILEY will be looking for a sweep of this Pop-Up Series after surviving as the odds on favorite last week. Plante could easily secure a pocket trip behind J-Mac. (2) ARIO HANOVER is likely to take some support after his strong second and dominant win before that. He looks to be back in a solid rotation, but only having six starts this year gives me a slight cause for pause. Your call. Race 6: NW $6,000 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $12,000 LAST 8 STARTS (W/O $21,750 L8 STARTS N/E) AE: MARES NW $8,150 L4. AE: STARTERS FOR A PURSE $12,000 OR LESS LAST START. (2) BELLA CAVALLA has been trying to make the most out of bad trips recently. This drop in class should help her. I would expect her to be driven like the best horse in the race. (5) MYFRIENDJOSE has had similar recent form to Bella Cavalla, but I don’t trust him quite as much. He is better when racing off a helmet, but needs to be closer if he wants to pounce. (1) CLASSIC MAGIC got a trip around the track in her latest. She should be at least a little closer to the action tonight; she can get a piece. Race 7: HORSES & GELDINGS CLAIMING $8,000 FOR NW $6,500 LAST 4 STARTS. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. (5) JINGLE INMY POCKET flashed some strong closing kick last week in his first start around the Mohawk oval. If he steps forward, I can see him passing everyone in the stretch and getting his picture taken. (4) DAN SPEED had a tough trip last week against much tougher horses. He has just one win on the season, but the drop should certainly help. (8) KEEPAMERICAGREAT has shown sneaky big bursts at times this year, but hasn’t been able to string anything together. He was parked for the mile last week, which didn’t help. He may just take to the back, but could be moving well late. Race 8: NW $2,500 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $6,500 LAST 8 STARTS. (W/O $15,500 LAST 8 STARTS N/E). (9) IKES DREAM has gone on speed missions in the past. Last week’s race turned into a tightener after the field separated from the car. Roy chose against him, but McNair is always capable of generating plenty in the early stages. (1) LOUS WORLD set a big mark earlier this season, and now adds Lasix, but it’s hard to imagine him as anything but an underlay in this spot. I do recognize that he could bottom the field out, though. (3) HIGHLANDBEACHLOVER gets a big post switch after holding on for a piece from the high draw last week. I can see him sitting an inside trip and getting a piece. Race 9: NW $6,000 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $12,000 LAST 8 STARTS (W/O $15,000 LAST 8 STARTS N/E) AE: OPT. CLM. $30,000. (7) CAPTAIN WANIA makes his second start off the bench after a fourth place finish. If he steps forward, I can see him getting the job done tonight. (1) MEDLEY SEELSTER held her own against stakes company to start her season, and had rattled off three wins in a row at Mohawk before journeying to New Jersey. She has a tough task against older boys, but has the ability to hold her own. (4) P L RAINBOW DASH should be passing horses late in the mile. She has a sharp closing kick, but usually gets away towards the back of the pack. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 10: POP UP SERIES CONSOLATION: STARTERS FOR A PURSE OF $10,000 OR LESS IN L3 STARTS AND NW $50,000 IN 2025. AE: NW $30,000 IN 2025 (MIN 10 STARTS). (8) CENTURY LUCIFER showed sharp closing speed in his latest, but he has shown the ability to race near the lead and do well. Borth gets the call tonight and could change tactics. (5) HOWMAC CHARMER made two moves when racing near the lead two starts ago. He has excuses as of late. It wouldn’t shock me to see him finally put it all together. (2) FLASH CUBE made a big move last week when the third quarter slowed to a crawl, but had to settle for fourth by a length. He has decent back class and can get a piece. Race 11: FILLIES & MARES CLAIMING $8,000 FOR NW $6,800 LAST 4 STARTS. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. (2) DOLLYDAYDREAM was a sharp second last time Louis Roy was in the bike. He gets the call after she got a trip around the track last week. I think we see much more out of her tonight. (3) FIRST FILLY CHIP was a sharp winner when racing on the front two starts ago. If she is forwardly placed tonight, I can see her getting a big piece. (7) MY ONLY SUNSHINE is usually passing many horses late in the mile. She can at least pick up the pieces late and hit the ticket. If they mix it up at all up front, watch out for her.